Sectional partition



3 sheets -s h e et 1 E. W. REAUGH SECTIONAL PARTITION Filed Jgne' 1?, i921 Apr. 3, 1923.

Apr. @1923;

1,450,733 E. W. REAUGH SECTIONAL PARTITION Filed June 17, 1921 5 sheets-sheet 2 Apr. 3; 1923. 1,450,733

. E. w. RE AUGH u SECTIONAL PARTITION Filed June 17, 1921 3 sheets-sheet 3 Patented Apr. 3', 1 923.

UNITED STATES PATENT o 'FFICE.

' ERNEST w. R AUGr'i, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIOQASSIGNOR To THE REAUGH coNs'rEUc IION COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, oHIo, A CORPORATION 0]! 01110.

SECTIONAL PARTITION.

bAii plication filedihine 17,

clear. and exact description, reference be-y ing had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in forms of sectional partitions which are designedto be readily put in position and as readily removed without injury to the sections of the partition.

()ne object of the invention is to provide ;a construction adapted to utilize standard sizes of partition sections which may be kept-instock by the manufacturer so that he niav provide sections to fit anv dimensions which are likely to be required. I

A further object is to provide separable partitions which may be putin position by the ordinary workman without difficulty and may be as easily taken down and put up in another place without injury to the partitions. Another feature of my invention resides in the use of spacing or filling members for enabling the partition to exactly fitany desired space and yet. require only standard size panel sections. A further objectis to provide partitions which'may Y be readily and economically added to at any time.

Another feature of the invention consists in the forming of the sections and joining members-in such a way that the sections do not have to beef an exact size butwill still fit into their joining members to occupy exactly the desired space. This is accomplished in the devices illustrated by providing members having grooves of greater depth than that of tongues formed on adjacent sections, said sections being prt' vided with one or more rail members of accurate length which serves as the separating members to determine the spacing of the sections.

Still another feature of my improvement resides in the connecting means used in joining the partitions which comprises a post member formed of side beam members 1921. Serial No. 478,291.

and an interior filler of less width. A particular feature of thisconnecting member is the separating of the filler into distinct pieces to overcome warping.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent in the course of the following description a-nd the features of novelty will be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is-a- View of a partition which is formed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing partition section panel and the connecting means adapted for connecting it with a dooi together with the finishing strips and so forth, said members being show-n separated; Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross section through the door and the adjoining panel as shown in Fig. 1 and showing panels connected at right angles to each other; Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section through the door and upper panel; Fig. 5 is a similar section through the panels adjacent the door; Fig. 6 is a view from the rear of two of the members forming the door stop (but omitting the miter) Fig. 7 is a similar View showin the stops mitered so as to fit each other; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing the parts completely assent ence numerals, I show at the right in F ig.

2, one of my partition sections consisting of a double panel member, the upper panel being shown as containing a plate of glass 10 and the lower panel a wood panel 11. Suitable cross bars 12, 13 and 15 are provided and are connected with the stiles 16 at the ends of the cross bars. Any suitable means may be provided for holding the panels in place in the frame formed by the cross bars and stiles. On the sides of. the partition section I provide a rail or rails to serve as spacing members. As herein illustrated three sets of rails 20, 21 and 22 are shown,

these rails are of a predetermined length,

however. can vary without reventin' the acc urate fitting of the-different sections together because the stiles project beyond the edges of the cross rails and the members with which the sections are joined are pro- 1 vided with grooves, which are of such depth that the cross rails or moldings 20, 21 and 22 abut the connecting member before the stile has completely filled the groove. Similarly the stiles 16, and rail 15 project upward beyond the rails 22 to form a tongue, and the section does not have to be of an exact height because finishing or cap rails 30 withwhich the panel sections are con nected are each provided with a. groove adapted to receive the projecting ends of the stiles 16 and the edge of the cross bar 15.

In view of the foregoing description, it will be apparent that this same spacing effect may be attained by the use of a single spacing rail or a single pair of such rails. \Vhere such a construction is used it is generally preferable to employ the top spacing rail or rails only corresponding to ra l 22. Such sections may be properly positioned by the use of a plumb line.

The connecting members which have been above mentioned for joining adjacent sections may each comprise as shown beam.

members 23, and'a filler member which is herein shown as made up of three sections 24, 25 and 26. The beam members 23 are of similar dimensions and accurately sized, and the filler is secured to one of them, the

adjacent section is then inserted in the rabsecured to the filler in any desired manner,

one manner which I have found very satisfactory being the use of screws. In this manner a very satisfactory joint is obtained between the sections and posts.

The filler member is of less width than the beam members and when the post is assembled, therefore, leaves grooves in the sides of these members as is clearly seen in Fig. 3, these grooves being adapted to receive the stile 16 of the adjacent sections while the members 23 abut and accurately fit against the ends of the rails 20, 21 and 22. At its upper end the'filler part 24 extends slightly above the top of the beams 23 so as to form a tongue. It will be seen that when a section is thus connected with the post that the upper cap rail 30 which is shown as provided with a groove 31 may fit over the sections and post and the tongues 32 at the side of the groove will extend close to the top of the molding 22 so as to form a neat joint. I prefer, however, not to have the tongues extend into actual contact with these moldings 22 because it is found that where a slight separation exists a difference in separation between the moldings and a cap rail at the opposite ends of the molding is not so noticeable as where the tongues and molding are actually in engagement at one end and slightly out of engagement at the other end.

I also prefer to provide a second cap rail 30 having a groove therein and placed with its smooth face abutting the smooth face of rail 30. The groove in this rail 30 provides a convenient means for retaining electric wires, or the like where the partition terminates with this rail and when it is desired to add another section or sections on .the top of the first section, the groove in the rail 30 is also adapted to receive the upper sections 40 as seen at the left in Fig. 1, and also in Figs. 4 and 5. Such additional section may then be finished by means of another cap rail or cap rails.

Another advantage which is attained by the use of two cap rails'consists of the fact that by staggering these rails, a splice is formed further insuring firm connection between sections. This process may be continued to as great height as may be necessary to run partitions. The greatest height I have illustrated corresponds to a double panel section and a single panel sectionfsection 40 being shown as a single panel section. In office work it is often desirable'to have a portion of the partition of low height and this is shown in the central part of Fig. 1, the partitions 41 being a single panel and having connected thereto a low door 42.

In order to cause the sections to occupy exactly the requiredspace it is found to be very advantageous to provide spacing or filler strips of small dimension to occupy the small remaining space so that the section may correctly fill any space although standard sections are alone employed. Such a spacing or filler member 25 is shown in Fig. 3. The wall of the building which the section abuts may be grooved to receive the tongue portion of this member which is shown as similar in form to stile 16. while at its other edge the filler is inserted in the groove of the post. It will be understood that such filler members may also be employed to cause the partition to abut the ceiling wherethisis desired so that the fillers may be employed either to increase the height of the partition or to increase its length.

The manner in which a rectangular cornor may be provided is illustrated at the left in Fig. 3. l-Vhere such a corner is formed moldings 56 may be employed to give a finished appearance. A member 55 provided witha tongue may be also employed to fill the otherwise open groove of the post. Such a member may also be advantageously employed Wherever a partition is to be terminated out of connection with the permanent walls of a building.

employ L-shaped members 50 having back Ialsoshow the arrangement whereby a door of ordinary size may be'inserted in my partitions and for this pui'pose, I prefer to /t'ongues 51.- This back tongue is adapted for insertion in the grooves of the beam or in the grooves of the finishing rails so that similar members may be used to form the stops around the door, both at the sides and above.

In Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, I show specifically' how these L-shaped members may be fitted together at the corners of the doorway.

As shown in Fig. 7, the stop members may casing is provided and it is only necessary to apply, the hinges to the door and to theface of one of these side members 50 in order to secure the door 60 in place therein.

It will be seen, therefore, that I have devised a sectional partition arrangement which may be used to divide ofi'rooms and provide doorways where desired.

Furthermore, I have provided sections adapted to accurately occupy the exact space intended although the sections themselves are not accurately sized. The manner of connecting the sections is very simple and requires no skill and the connection is such, that the parts are readily taken apart, and as readily replaced without danger of injury to them.

It will be seen that the manufacturer may,

by keeping a supply of a few standard sizes of panel sections, be enabled to provide partitions adapted to fit almost any dimensions that will be required with the aid of fillers 'where needed, though where special dimensions are necessary they may of course be easily furnished.

One of the advantages 01 my construct on is that it provides a stile member extending throughout the length of the both panels. This arrangement in conjunction with the interfitting tongue and groove connection makes a firm partition when assembledand one which may be readily and rapidly assembled or disassembled. Another advantage of my construction consists in the divid ing of the filler member into separate sections. This has been found to prevent the very serious difficulty of the warping of the connecting posts, which is found to take place where an integral filler member is used. Having thus described my invention, I claim 2- 1. In a sectional partition, a panel section having stiles at each end extending throughout the length thereof," a fabricated; postrespectively.

comprising single piece facing stripslextending throughout length of the sectlon, and a plurality of fillers positioned inter- ;mediate the strips with the ends thereof in abutting engagement, said fillers-having a 5 width less than thatofthe strips, whereby a groove may be formed for receiving one of said stiles, the, uppermost filler extending beyond the strips toprovide a tongue, and a cap rail having a groove in its under side for receiving, the section, and the tongue 2. In a sectional partition, two superimposed panels, cross rails extending transversely and at .the top and bottom thereof respectively, the upper rail being positioned below the top of the panel to leave an upwardly projecting tongue, 3. post having a tongue aligned'with the tongue in the panel, said post having the interior thereof comprising strips placed end to end and in abutprising a pair of opposed single piece facing strips, and a plurality of fillers positioned therebetweemsaid fillers being placed end to end, with the uppermost one projecting be-,

yond the top of the spacing strips to form a tongue, and all of said fillers having a width less than that of the facing strips whereby a panel receiving groove is formed on at least one side of the post.

4. In a sectional partition, the combination with a pair of posts disposed on opposite sides of a doorway, each of said posts having, longitudinally extending grooves therein, and a tongue at the top thereof, a cap rail having a groove therein engaging said tongue, said cap rail extending across the doorway, a filler strip disposed within the cap rail groove, and extending across the top of the doorway, and door stops having tongues engaging the grooves in the posts.

ha ving' side rails of predetermined length and tongues projecting beyond the ends and the upper edge.,of the rails, a connecting post having grooves in its sides and an upo. In sectional partitions, a panel member wardly projecting tongue, .one of said.

each comprisingtwo encasing members and a filler positioned therebetween, the filler be ing of less width than the members whereby a groove is formed on each side thereof, and comprising a plurality of pieces placed end to end and in the same plane, the uppermost the ends thereof carried by the L-shaped piece projecting beyond the top of the memmembers above the door, and a cap rail hav- 10 bers and forming a tongue, oppositely facing a groove engaging the tongues on the ing L-shaped members each having a tongue posts and cross rail.

5 projecting from. the back thereof and fitting In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my in said grooves, 1 door extending between signature. said L-shaped members, a cross ,rail having an upwardly extending tongue and having ERNEST \V. REAUGH. 

